LG Electronics 50PC5D 50" 720p Plasma HDTV
By: LG Average Rating: 4.0 Total Reviews: 5
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 On: 2008-02-18
I did so much research on plasmas before buying my first one. We have a $6,500 TV rear projection here that is top of the line... but the non-HD channels look horrible. Ive also owned LCDs made by olevia and the non-HD channels look horrible. I think this is the norm with HDTVs. The problem is, most cable providers only offer around 25 channels in HD. The LG has an XD Engine that makes most of these non-HD shows on digital cable look near-HD. Some channels for some reason dont look that good, but most look amazing. The reason I chose the LG originally was because I came up on a price I could not turn down, but if I could choose again, I would buy this same Plasma. The quality is really good, the price is the best and I have had none of the problems listed on other reviews. Its a beautiful TV (glossy black) and Im confident you would be happy with your purchase, unless youre some TV affeccianado then you should probably spend the $4,500 on the real high end stuff.
On: 2007-08-31
Perfect. The image on this TV is amaizing, as good as the real high dollar sets, better than most. NO HDMI issues on mine what so ever.
 On: 2007-08-09
My husband and I purchased this product in June, 2007. From the time we connected the set there was a problem with the screen. Our set has a thin black horizonal line thru middle of the screen. We were instructed to contact LG for warranty. LG told us to contact their local contracted service company. The service company has been out twice and has changed 3 boards and we still have the line. LG has been uncooperative about replacing the TV. It has not worked since DAY 1 !
On: 2007-08-08
My husband and I purchased this product in June, 2007. From the time we connected the set there was a problem with the screen. Our set has a thin black horizonal line thru middle of the screen. We were instructed to contact LG for warranty. LG told us to contact their local contracted service company. The service company has been out twice and has changed 3 boards and we still have the line. LG has been uncooperative about replacing the TV. It has not worked since DAY 1 !
On: 2007-06-27
I just got mine about 2 weeks ago and love it. I AM NOT a gamer and use it for hi def cable and dvds. This TV makes analog signals look great and the hi def is crystal clear. I had a problem with the HDMI connection but once connected to RGB it is working great. (I also had problems with HDMI on my older Toshiba 50" and in this case I think it is a cable issue.) Sound is also good. I would definitely buy this set again. I have had no problems with image retention but am careful to try to maximize the image on the screen which is easy with the ratio control. Overall 5 stars for me.
 On: 2007-06-21
In a nutshell -- looks elsewhere. Thats my opinion after owning this model. Why? The main reason is that HDMI on the 50PC5D is not done right.
I own this same model, LG 50PC5D, but the in-Korea version (just 1 input HDMI in the back).
Through HDMI, you will notice a water-colored look to your standard DVDs, and other issues at HD resolutions (due to whats called false contouring/banding) and problems with 1080i input. You will also see a lot more image retention problems. HDMI on this model is screwed.
The only solution is to use other inputs, like component.
In this digital age, we expect the digital input, HDMI, to work properly. When I send a signal through HDMI from my PS3, it cant do the 1080i signal right. At first look, it seems fine, until you check text and the image up close. You will see a jump in the characters every few seconds. This only happens at 1080i (not 720p).
Here is a Google video of the problem, which is really noticable on the PS3 menu screen. Notice the pulse every so often, and lines that jump:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2401674401223499446
There is also a lot of problem with image retention on this model, but thats mostly through HDMI (no component).
HDMI through this TV also seems to bypass the internal circuitry that helps clear up banding/false contouring. I have a lot of this when going through HDMI. It isnt a problem when watching TV station content, or when I use other inputs than HDMI. When using the HDMI input, however, my PS3 menu looks noticably different at all resolutions (from banding/false contouring). Some people call this banding/false contouring a "watercoloring" effect.
My only option was to try component inputs. Those worked very well, and the image looks great, but I lose certain functionality of my PS3, like standard DVD upscaling through HDMI, and Full RGB.
LG has been to my house 5 times to work on these different issues, and changing internal circuit boards didnt solve the problem. The service guy was stumped, took videos of the problem, and said hes passing it up the chain to the techs above him.
When I use component inputs (I had to buy the PS3 component out module) these problems go away, and the TV looks really good. So I use component. I ALSO HAVE FAR FEWER IMAGE RETENTION ISSUES THROUGH COMPONENT on this TV. Odd as it is, its very, very true.
LG seems to have problems with HDMI on this model. If you are able, try the Component inputs, and forget about HDMI. The difference is night and day.
On another note, I had a buzzing problem with this TV. It made a very loud buzz that was annoying. They came out and added some kind of pads behind the circuitboards, and the noise was cut down by maybe 70%. Its still not perfect, but its livable.
I wanted to trade this in and get a refund, but LG Korea refused, because I bought it at an LG store.
__________________
Blu-ray fan and PS3 owner, but I want HD-DVD to survive just enough to keep BR prices in check!
On: 2007-06-20
In a nutshell -- looks elsewhere. Thats my opinion after owning this model. Why? The main reason is that HDMI on the 50PC5D is not done right.
I own this same model, LG 50PC5D, but the in-Korea version (just 1 input HDMI in the back).
Through HDMI, you will notice a water-colored look to your standard DVDs, and other issues at HD resolutions (due to whats called false contouring/banding) and problems with 1080i input. You will also see a lot more image retention problems. HDMI on this model is screwed.
The only solution is to use other inputs, like component.
In this digital age, we expect the digital input, HDMI, to work properly. When I send a signal through HDMI from my PS3, it cant do the 1080i signal right. At first look, it seems fine, until you check text and the image up close. You will see a jump in the characters every few seconds. This only happens at 1080i (not 720p).
Here is a Google video of the problem, which is really noticable on the PS3 menu screen. Notice the pulse every so often, and lines that jump:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2401674401223499446
There is also a lot of problem with image retention on this model, but thats mostly through HDMI (no component).
HDMI through this TV also seems to bypass the internal circuitry that helps clear up banding/false contouring. I have a lot of this when going through HDMI. It isnt a problem when watching TV station content, or when I use other inputs than HDMI. When using the HDMI input, however, my PS3 menu looks noticably different at all resolutions (from banding/false contouring). Some people call this banding/false contouring a "watercoloring" effect.
My only option was to try component inputs. Those worked very well, and the image looks great, but I lose certain functionality of my PS3, like standard DVD upscaling through HDMI, and Full RGB.
LG has been to my house 5 times to work on these different issues, and changing internal circuit boards didnt solve the problem. The service guy was stumped, took videos of the problem, and said hes passing it up the chain to the techs above him.
When I use component inputs (I had to buy the PS3 component out module) these problems go away, and the TV looks really good. So I use component. I ALSO HAVE FAR FEWER IMAGE RETENTION ISSUES THROUGH COMPONENT on this TV. Odd as it is, its very, very true.
LG seems to have problems with HDMI on this model. If you are able, try the Component inputs, and forget about HDMI. The difference is night and day.
On another note, I had a buzzing problem with this TV. It made a very loud buzz that was annoying. They came out and added some kind of pads behind the circuitboards, and the noise was cut down by maybe 70%. Its still not perfect, but its livable.
I wanted to trade this in and get a refund, but LG Korea refused, because I bought it at an LG store.
__________________
Blu-ray fan and PS3 owner, but I want HD-DVD to survive just enough to keep BR prices in check!
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